Kathmandu, 31 Jul: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has officially launched the ‘FIFA Football for Schools’ program in Nepal.
The initiative, supported by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), was formally inaugurated on Thursday. The launch event took place at Dasharath Stadium in a special ceremony.
As part of the program, Prime Minister Oli also distributed footballs to around 1,000 schools across the country free of cost, with support from FIFA.
During the event, the Prime Minister emphasized that the government has prioritized the development of the sports sector. He also announced plans to construct a new and large football stadium in Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur.
The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has stated that the ‘FIFA Football for Schools’ program will play a significant role in promoting football at the school level.
Just a few days prior, Antonio Buonanno Sanchez, Manager of the FIFA Football for Schools program, and Technical Advisor Alberto Giacomini had arrived in Nepal to provide details and guidance for the implementation of the initiative.
Under this program, FIFA—through its collaboration with the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA)—will provide a total of 32,640 footballs to 1,072 schools across all 75 districts of Nepal.
The initiative aims to integrate sports into the school curriculum, helping students develop essential life skills while also supporting the growth of grassroots football.
The launch event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel, Minister for Youth and Sports Tejulal Chaudhary, Vice President of the National Sports Council (NSC) Dhruba Acharya, NSC Member Secretary Tankalal Ghising, ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang, among others.
In conclusion, the official launch of the ‘FIFA Football for Schools’ program in Nepal marks a major milestone in integrating sports with education. With over 32,000 footballs to be distributed to more than 1,000 schools across all 75 districts, the initiative aims not only to promote grassroots football but also to develop life skills among students through active participation in sports. Supported by FIFA and executed in collaboration with ANFA, the program has garnered strong backing from national leaders, including Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and is expected to make a lasting impact on the physical, mental, and social development of Nepal’s youth.
